Forging-machine.



PATENTED MAY 22, 1906.

T. U. PROUTY. FORGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 26, 1903.

3 $HEETSSHEBT l.

No. 821,059. PATENTED MAY 22, 1906. T. O. PROUTY. FORGING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 26 1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

PATENTED MAY 22, 1906.

s SHEETS-SHEET a.

i l, R.

N M HQ R mm M m 6 4 T. C. PROUTY.

PORGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 20, 1903.

THEODORE o. PROUTnOF ALBlON, MICHIGAN.

FORGING-IVIACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Batented May 22, 1906.

Application filed June 26, 1903. Serial No. 163.164.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THEODORE C. PROUTY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Albion, county of Calhoun, and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Forging-Machines, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention relates to forging-machines, its Object being to effect a construction and arrangement of parts such as will produce a maximum of desired effect with a minimum of weight of material and expenditure of en- Said invention consists of means hereinafter fully described, and particularly set forth in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings, Figure I represents a front elevation of one form of machine embodying the principle of my invention. Fig. II represents an end elevation of same. Fig. III represents an elevational view of one of the die-blocks detached from the machine. Fig. IV represents the other die-block, showing the parts detached. Figs. V, VI, and VII represent detail view and sections of parts of the mechanism on the lines indicated in Fig. III. v

A frame A has mounted upon it, by means of suitable journals and bearings, two pairs of large gears B B and B B, respectively, all of equal diameter, the axes of each gear of a pair being in the same straight line and such two lines being parallel. The individ ual members of each pair of such gears are oppositely located, as shown, so that they mesh,

thereby forming two sets of gears, each set being composed of a gear B and a gear B, as will be readily understood from the drawing Fig. I. Joining each pair of gear-wheels is a wrist-pin C, each of which forms a journal for a die block or headD and D. The top of die block or head D and bottom of die-block D are respectively provided with a T-shaped groove or slideway d and d, and secured in any suitable manner to the bottom of block D and top of block D, respectively, are two guides d and d of T-shaped cross-section, which slide in those grooves. The axes of the wrist-pins are equidistant from their respective gear-axes, so that it will be seen that the gears may be caused to oscillate so as to allow the blocks to be raised and lowered synchronously, the guides and grooves maintaining parallelism with the paths of approach and recession of such heads. The effect of this arrangement of guides and grooves is equivalent to that of a guideway adapted to reciprocate vertically as the die-heads synchronously approach and recede from each other along it. By having the upper and lower members, however, of such guideway separate and alternately fixedly attached and slidably secured to the two die-heads the necessity of employing vertical guides to direct such guideway is obviated. These heads are made with parallel opposing faces to which the required dies (not shown) are secured and of a length such that they maybe brought into a position such that the center of gravity of the entire structure connected with each pair of gears may be caused to inwardly pass above their respective axes the vertical plane passing through such respective axes. The dies and heads may then be held either by a brake or suitable stops (not shown) 1n this position, so as to remain stationary wlth the die-blocks slightly separated, comparative equilibrium being attained without the application of more than a moderate amount of resisting force.

A driving-shaft B is mounted in suitable bearings in the lower part of the frame and has secured thereto two pinions B B respectively engaging the gears B B, as shown. Upon the end of said shaft are rotatively mounted two driving-pulleys E E, to each of which is fixed a clutch member 2 e respectively'. Rotatively fixed but longitudinally movable upon said shaft and respectively adjacent to each member e e are two clutch members ff, longitudinally fixed relatively to each other and arranged at a distance such that they may be shifted. so as to cause one or the other to engage the respective ad1acent clutch members e c. Such shifting maybe effected by means of a shifting-rod G, passing through a longitudinal bore formed 1n the shaft B slots (not shown) being provided intersecting the outer surface of the shaft, and the said bore for the passage of pins (not shown) connecting the said rod G and the two members f f as will be readily understood by those skilled. in the art of machine construction. The object of said described clutch structure is to permit either one of the pulleys E E to be thrown into engagement with the shaft, or both thrown out of such engagement. The said two pulleys are driven in opposite directions by suitable belts. (Not shown.) A. suitably-mounted clutchlever G is connected with the rod G for effecting its longitudinal movement. It will therefore be seen that by manipulation of the lever G the gears may be turned upon their axes in opposite directions throughout a part of a complete revolution, so as to raise the dieblocks and dies to an elevated position, in which they may be allowed to rest, and may then be turned a distance in the opposite direction, such as to cause the center of gravity of the two moving masses to pass the vertical planes, passing through the two axes of the two pairs of gears, respectively, a distance suflicient to permit the die-blocks to descend by virtue of the force of gravity acting upon them. the clutch members f and f being meanwhile thrown into a neutral position, so as to allow the two driving-pulleys to run free upon the shaft during such descent.

The two pairs of gears and their respective die-blocks form oscillatory die-carriers, which determine a fixed path of movement for the movabledies, having a vertical component, whereby the one stroke of oscillatory movement may be in the machine illustrated and described partially or substantially wholly effected by gravitation. The guides and grooves, in maintaining parallelism of the dieblock faces, and hence the dies, effect the juxtaposition of the dies at the lower end of such gravity operated strokes. The masses of metal constituting each of the two movable elements, respectively, composed of a pair of gears and the moving parts connected therewith during the descent of the dies and heads are of a weight and so disposed as to cause the momentum of each element to be the same. Since the gears are connected with each other, and since they are all of equal diameter in the device illustrated, it is obvious that the velocities of descent must be equal, and when the masses above mentioned are of equal weight and symmetrically disposed it is equally obvious that their respective momenta would be equal. The construction may, however, be varied by including two movable elements of different weights and disposition of parts. When the masses are symmetrically disposed but of difierent weights, the elements are so connected as to cause their velocities to vary inversely as their weights, and when both the weights and disposition vary the velocities will be caused to vary inversely as the weights and the distances of the masses from their axes of oscillation or rotation, as will be readily understood. In other words, the arrangement and masses of the parts should. be such as to cause the two dies to meet, if they were allowed to fall and collide, with equal momenta, so as to cause the force effecting the rebound to be equally divided between the two moving elements. The force. of such collision may be varied within certain limits by throwing off the clutch connecting that driving-pulley which causes the die to descend at difierent points in the path marked by the extreme height of the die and by the point in its descent when its velocity equals the maximum velocity which can be imparted by such pulley.

In operating the abovedescribed machine the movable elements are caused to be positively operated to lift the dies, and when in their upperpositions of rest a blank is placed in one of the dies. The latter are then allowed to fall until they reach their lower positions, in wh ch they both contact the blank. Further movement of the dies is then expressed in a change of velocity of the dies, position and form of the blank, heat, and vibration, if the amount of energy exceed that necessary to perform the transformation in the blank, in a rebounding of the dies and carriers. The blank is made to approximate in volume as nearly as possible the volume of the die-intaglios, so that there may be no waste of material and so that the latter may take the exact form required. I have found it preferable to cause the energy of the two elements to be made such that it will exceed to some degree that required to completely form the blank and so cause the dies to contact, so as to obtain a slight rebound. This rebound in certain classes of work permits of instantaneous ejection of the blank.

By applying the above-described method by means of the described construction I am enabled'to apply greater energy to form in I one blow by means of a machine of given weight and strength articles which it has heretofore required machines such as drophammers or other devices employed in connection with stationary anvils of enormously greater weight and strength to form in one blow. In the latter form of forging-machine the shock of the hammer is communicated to the anvil prior to its contact therewith through the blank from the upper 'to the lower side of the latter, the flow of metal hence beginning at one side and ending at the other. The bulk of the energy is hence expended upon one side of the blank to the detriment of the other side. In my form of device, in which both heads and dies are movable, both sides of the blank receive the shock simultaneously and the flow of metal takes place from both sides toward the center of the blank, and a more perfect article results.

I am aware that two movable heads and IIO therinore communicated dies have heretofore been employed in forging. Such construction did not, however, involve the utilization of the force of gravity, but, on the contrary, the direction of move ment was in horizontal planes, and hence had no vertical component. As a result it would in such construction-be necessary to expend an enormous amount of horse-power to eifect a velocity of parts of the required strength, and hence weight, to strike a blow of sufficient strength to completely form in one such blow articles of ordinary size, such as small wheels, and practically impossible to so form articles of comparatively large size. On the other hand, the question of horse-power in my form of machine need only be considered in raising the dies to their elevated positions, since the time, a factor in horsepower, may be lengthened as required to remain within reasonable limitations. In the stationaryanvil type of forging-machines enormous rigid masses of material must be used to provide a sufficient inertia to the anvil to present sufficient rigidity to withstand the shock, so as to permit enough energy to be expended in the complete formation of the work or required article. The acceleration due to gravity being constant per unit mass, the velocity of the falling masses remains constant for a given initial velocity, and it is hence seen that by an application of force of comparative small amount masses of great weight may be started upon a downward ath and kinetic energy stored up in so doing, so that at the end of the stroke an enormous amount of energy is obtained by virtue of the utilization of such force of gravity. The enormous mass of material required for the anvil and anvil-base in the ordinary machine is hence dispensed with and a mass of far less weight disposed in the two moving elements of my machine, which will afford the required energy to do the work, and a comparatively small amount of metal is required in the construction of the other parts of the machine, as the frame, to resist the shock communicated to them. I have found in actual prac tice that by means of a machine weighing fifteen thousand pounds I have performed work and produced articles of manufacture which would have required an anvil and base therefor alone weighing ninety thousand pounds if performed by means of the stationary-anvil type of machine.

The shock in my described machine is furprincipally in horizontal planes by reason of my peculiar con struction, so that a machine of my character may be placed upon the floor of a building of sufficient strength to properly sustain its weight only without endangering the build ing structure.

Other modes of applying my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as rethe principle of l gards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any one of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and 'distinctly claim as my invention 1. In a forging-machine, the combination of two oscillatory carriers, a die-head pivotally mounted on each of said carriers, and a vertically movable guideway adapted to maintain said die-heads parallel with each other.

2. In a forgingmachine, the combination of two oscillatory carriers, a die-head pivotally mounted on each of said carriers, and a vertically-movable guideway, said die-heads being horizontally movable in said guidewav.

3 In a forging-machine, the combination of two oscillatory carriers, a die-head pivotally mounted on each of said carriers, and a vertically-movable guideway, said die-heads being slidably mounted in said guideway so as to be longitudinally movable therealong.

4. In a forging-machine, the combination of two oscillatory carriers, and a die-head pivotally mounted on each of said carriers, said carriers being connected to oscillate so as to impart equal momenta to said dieheads.

5. In a forging-machine, the combination of two oscillatory carriers, a die-head pivotally mounted on each of said carriers, sai carriers being connected to oscillate so as to impart equal momenta to said die-heads, and a vertically-movable guideway adapted to maintain said die-heads parallel with each other.

6. In a forging-machine, the combination of two oscillatory carriers, a die-head pivotally mounted on each of said carriers, and a guideway fixedly attached to one of said heads and slidably secured to the other.

7. In a forging-machine, the combination of two oscillatory carriers, a die-head pivotally mounted on each of said carriers, and a guideway fixedly attached to each of said heads, each such guideway being slidably secured to the other of said heads, whereby said heads are maintained in parallelism pending the oscillation of said carriers.

8. In a forging-machine, the combination of two oscillatory carriers, a die-head pivotally mounted on each of said carriers, said carriers being connected to oscillate so as to impart equal momenta to said die-heads, and a guideway fixedly attached to one of said die-heads and slidably secured to the other.

9. In a forging-machine, the combination of two oscillatory carriers, a die-head pivotally mounted upon each of said carriers; posi tive means for moving said carriers through both strokes of their oscillation; means for releasing said carriers from the actuation of said positive means, whereby said carriers are gravity-operated; and a vertically-movable guideway adapted to maintain said dieheads parallel with each other.

10. In a forging-machine, the combination of two oscillatory carriers; a die-head pivotally mounted upon each of said carriers positive means for moving said carriers through both strokes of their oscillation; means for releasing said carriers from the actuation of said positive means, whereby said carriers are gravity-operated,- and a guideway fixedly attached to one of said heads and slidably secured to the other.

11. In a forging-machine, two pairs of 00- operating gears; two die-heads each mounted upon one of each pair of gears; positive means for actuating said gears in either direction, means for maintaining parallelism of said dieheads during the movement of said gears; and means for releasing said gears from said positive means, whereby the gears and heads are gravity-operated, the construction being such that the approach of said die-heads is effected at the end of said gravity-operated movement.

12. In a forging-machine, the combination of two pairs of intermeshing gears, a die-head pivotally mounted between the members of each pair of gears, positive means for actuat ing said gears in either direction, means for releasing said gears from the actuation of said positive means, whereby said gears and dieheads are gravity-operated, the construction being such that the approach of said dieheads is effected at the end of said gravityoperated movement, and a vertically-movable guideway adapted to maintain said die-heads parallel with each other.

13. In'a forging-machine, the combination of two pairs of intermeshing gears, a diehead pivotally mounted between the members or each pair of gears, positive means for actuating said gears in either direction, means for releasing said gears from the actuation of said positive means, whereby said gears arid die-heads are gravity-operated, the construction being such that the approach of said dieheads is effected at the end of said gravityoperated movement, and a guideway fixedly attached to one of said die-heads and slidably secured to the other.

14. In a forging-machine, the combination of two pairs of intermeshing gears, a die-head pivotally mounted between the members of each pair of gears, positive means for actuating said gears in either direction, means for releasing said gears from the actuation of said positive means, whereby said gears and die-heads are gravity-operated, the construction being such that the approach of said dieheads is effected at the end of said gravityoperated movement, and a guideway fixedly attached to each of said die-heads, each such guideway being slidably secured to the other head, whereby said heads are maintained in parallelism pending the oscillation of said gears.

Signed by me this 19th day of June, 1903.

THEODORE C. PROUTY.

Attest:

G. W. SAYWELL, A. E. MERKEL. 

